IKE TAYLOR
Cornerback
The Steelers and Bengals split their home-and-home series in 2012, and the outcome of the games was reflected in A.J. Green's statistics. Shadowed by Ike Taylor in the first meeting, Green had one catch for 8 yards, and the Steelers won. In the rematch, Taylor missed the game with an injury and Green caught 10 passes for 116 yards, and the Bengals' victory clinched the division title for them while eliminating the Steelers from playoff contention.
Taylor was back on Green last Monday night, and the Bengals' best receiver again was relegated to pedestrian numbers. Through three-and-a-half quarters last Monday night, Green had been targeted 14 times and had six catches for 41 yards, while Taylor had six tackles and a pass defensed.
Taylor is the Steelers Digest Player of the Week.
Also considered were Troy Polamalu, who had nine tackles and one pass defensed; Jarvis Jones, who had six tackles including a couple of big hits on special teams; and Emmanuel Sanders, who caught five passes for 78 yards.
